Emotional Overload

           Good day! Well the better days are sure to come now that bryon is home hopefully! This last week has been rough. I look back at our Army times and wonder how exactly I survived! Whew. One less kid maybe! No puppies? Not sure. Either way I am spent and really need a vacation!! Without puppies...or kids!! Sorry to my children..I do love you! I am certain I have never in my life cleaned up or stepped in so much pee in my life. A good follow up to the potty training is appropriate about now. Adisynn is.....different. She is a convenient potty trainer. When it is alluring, appealing, fun or convenient for her then it's ok. Every other time all bets are off. Period. I run into some crazy trials being her mother that I have not had to deal with yet in my life raising kids. I should have known after the other two that with her things were going to be different. 2 out of 3...great. 3 for 3= too perfect! God's sense of humor. Now onto Ruth. Puppies are cute for sure but man are they work! Her and adisynn were pee all over the floor buddies last week. Back to back. I'm not going to lie I cried...a lot. Had my mini mommy meltdown. But then I went Fabric shopping and had Chinese food. A great cure all I say! Bryon got home from his man/fishing trip to Canada last night. He has an awesome tan line on his forehead. It looks like a REALLY back makeup line! Pahahaha! But no sympathy from me! No sir! Reason number 2 that I need a vacation. Bryon really gets to do some mad cool things and I struggle with some jealousy and resentment. The common "you owe me" bug. So he will pay up for the next week or so until I am satisfied!!
              Weight loss challenge is not going so well. I just flat out love food. Not overeating or indulging in ways I shouldn't or anything. Just moderating the not so good for you delicious foods! My weight has just stayed the same. A bonus I guess. Time to kick it in gear! Biggest Loser workouts and salads here I come! Dangit!! I will be winner winner chicken dinner! Hopefully my foot heals up nice in the next few weeks. I am being good at giving it time to rest. I did too much too fast on horrible running surface and got perennial tendinitis in my right foot. Dumb. But I went for a 4 mile walk this morning to burn some sweet calories :D
              I had the pleasure of talking to my nephew Tyler for the first time in at least 5 years the other day. He answered in his "man" voice. I didn't even recognize it! We talked for at least a hour about all sorts of awesomeness. I was amazed at how much we had in common and he made me laugh so much. What a joy in my heart! I feel like I know him a little bit now! Esther if you are reading this you sure are blessed to have him! He is a cool cat!
              On the last note of my update. Farmers Market starts this Saturday! Woop woop! I am really looking forward to this experience. Coffee..scones...friends! Ohhhh yeah! I am having a really hard time pricing my items. It is difficult to price your time. I am hopeful of some clarity on that matter soon..I am running out of time! Eeeeek! Feel free to come say hello! I will be set up with Rose as she sells her butterflies and berries jelly! Love you all and hope you are well! Till next time!

Commitment Issues

Having a really hard time committing to this blog. But then I always find my way back. It is really refreshing in fact! I like having a place to randomly pen down my thoughts! I did change the name of my blog because right now I find it a perfect fit for where I am at in my life and in my head. I just want some simplicity! The more I simplify things the happier I seem to get! Not saying I don't care, I just don't care as MUCH about the small things! So hello again world! Here I am :) Lots of stuff going on at the moment. Really struggling with some potty training. I can't lie...I am pretty frustrated. She loves going potty. That is not the issue. She refuses to poop on the toilet and pees about a billion times a day. I am sure that I have spent more time with her in the bathroom than I have myself my whole life....(SIGH)...With that being said I will just let it rest for a spell until there is more willingness from her. Or the likelihood of going crazy is sure to come. Not to mention the repeating that comes from my mouth....over and over and over and over. I say "Why don't you listen!!!!" Grrrrr. Maybe I am out of touch with toddlerhood. But I do not remember it being this difficult or frustrating with my other two kids. I will chalk it up to me being older and the mere difference in kids. Nuff said there.

I have started a weight-loss challenge with Bryon. We have until July 20 which is our 11 year wedding anniversary to be the biggest loser. Not sure what the prize will be yet...probably some sweet cash! Who does not love them some cash! I rallied up this idea for myself mostly. Bryon brings our a sick competitive nature in me that I can't explain. So I drew him in to light that fire under my rear for this last 15-20 lbs. I would love to shed. Just cannot seem to do it on my own authority! Bummer. Either way it will be good for both of us. In the long run we both get to have fun and get healthier! A win win to me!

In other news I have been crocheting like a mad woman. Tackling the Farmers Market this year...how exciting. Not quite sure what to expect as far as my stuff selling but I am sure to have fun while I attempt being all businessy and stuff! I am going to call my little endeavour "CRAFTYLICIOUS". So for all of my friends..or family for that matter that would love to come and see me this summer I would love that! I have created some new stuff that I am really amped up about! Also having a fantastico and super friend to help and create these things is not half bad at all. I am very certain that I would not be managing to keep my head on straight without her. She has made this whole pre-experience amazing. You know who you are! So thank you holla for loving and helping me. You really are a friend to cherish! I really look forward to this summer with you!

If you are reading this...thanks! Whoever you are for holding an interest in what I have to say. Hopefully I can tend to this little speck of my life a little bit better. When I do update on here I will be sure to put it on Facebook! Hope you have a glorious day!

Happy Almost New Year!

Hellooo friends and familia! It has been a spell! Sorry bout that! Excuses of course! Tis the season :) Too busy! Well Happy almost new year. I am sure all of you are relieved that we are still alive with it almost being the end of the world in all! Bwahahaha! Whatever! All that aside, I had an amazing Christmas. God really put our path this season off track. I rejoice that He still finds ways to make me grateful and full of thanks for the things we have. I am riddled with guilt sometimes at the behaviour that comes along with not feeling like everything is going my way and that I am not getting what I want. Sometimes I think I deserve be stripped of all of my luxuries. I also wonder a lot about why God has me right here. What is my purpose? Gahhhh! Deep thoughts I know. That is where I find my mind most of the time. I am really trying to work on some commitment issues I have right now. There is a revised version of the purpose driven life out that bryon and i bought to read together. Neither of us can seem to accomplish this goal. 40 days of really short easy to read chapters. But yet we find ourselves too busy or we feel other things are more important. I am sure God wants me to feel better about my purpose. But until I put in the work I guess I will just feel unsure and cannot complain. So with it being the new year I promise to work on that! Also...bum bum deeee dummmm. Going to start a crochet/knitters group here in Great Falls. Open to the public! Not sure exactly when or how but I will keep you posted! I am super excited about that! I am going to pick up a mannequin head at sally beauty supply so i can use to to model my hats, headbands and other crochet creations. Its going to be epic! Having some youth kids over tonight for dinner and games...really looking forward to spending some much needed time with them! Hope you all are well! Love and miss you all. Sorry for the randomness...I will work on getting back on track!

An Abundance Of Thanks

The best time of the year! Lot's of excuses..or reasons (whichever you prefer) to eat, drink and be merry! Love it! All the while you are....or at least should be immersing yourself in the thoughts and actions of what or who make you so thankful. I remind myself often that this life is short and can be over in the blink of an eye. So to enjoy every minute of everyday is a must. I think about how much more amazing eternity will be too! But every once in awhile I bask in whatever God has given or placed before me to enjoy while I am here and I cannot help but think how anything else could compare or be better that what is right in front of me. Like this steaming cup of Thanksgiving blend coffee from Starbucks! Or looking at my sweet family. God THANK YOU. Thank you most of all for allowing me to travel this path in life that you have laid out before me. But ultimately for satisfying the deepest parts of my soul that only You can do. I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Cheers to many many more. Lindsey

Madison My neice :)

My sister Sierra and her son Cody

Brother Matt cutting the turkey!

Bryon and Adisynn!

Abby and Brooklynn

A hat I made for my sweet girl!

Disappointed

Dumb dumb dumb...and dumb. Obama for 4 more years. Whatever. I am going to just learn to pray for the president and for the future of this nation. Bryon and I are moving to another country anyway. Just not sure where yet. My heart sank when I saw that he had Ohio. Not that good ol' Mit is any better but for sure a smidgen better than the other. So no more stewing. It is what it is. When this country is suffering miserably in the next few years I will feel ok knowing that I did not ask for it. Oh...and I wont be here anyway! I voted. So i feel by the way..fully justified in complaining. Just for the record!

 So on a totally different note. Super winter storm headed our way tonight and some really cold temps to look forward to. Time to bust out my Christmas tree and more music! I think because it is November it is officially ok. According to all the stores now anyway! I think this season is going to be really fun with Adisynn. I forget how in awe kids are when they really recognize all this holiday stuff for the first time! We are still elkless..sad. Bryon might go back out this weekend and try his luck again. Seems to be a reoccurring problem every year. We live in Montana...how hard can this really be? Geesh! Well love you all..I really did not have too much to share yet but really needed to write out my election frustration. Hope everyone is well! Lindsey

Oh The Joys

Oh my...the joys of life. As I sit here...hunting widow...while every key I hit on my computer is sticky. Why you ask...I could not tell you. Actually I can. It is called kids. Yes, kids. Not sure what this substance is precisely but I definitely can tell you where it came from. Gross. Anyway...I have had an eventful week! My sweet baby girl is finally in the clear! Healed of that nasty cold :) Back to her normal silly self! Praise Jesus! Back into old routine this next week. I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed the time off and the break of the busyness. Caden and Brooklynn had their parent teacher conferances already and as usual everything is amazing. I have some smart cookies and that does NOT come from me. Thanks babe! It is refreshing to hear their teachers grace my ears with compliments on my children. I complain about going but when I leave I am glad that I went. To add to crazy events of this week Brooklynn decided it would be ok to shove Cadens headphones as far in her ear as she could and ended up getting the rubber end stuck way down deep in her ear canal. Go figure. We could not even see it anymore. So off to the Dr. we went. Traumatizing for a minute but in the end we all got a good laugh. I am not sure why we find so much humor when kids get things stuck in places things shouldnt be! I attended a Womens Holiday Gala for the first time this year on Friday. I had a great time with the ladies I had the privelage of being there with, but the guest singer/speaker was not a hit. It took all of my might to keep my butt in that chair another minute. She is a southern gospel singer popping out some really old school hyms....mariah carey style. NOT a fan. It might take a lot to get me back to one of those events next year! Still keeping busy with my crogaying as my loving husband calls it..whatever! A video of us playing cards with Josh and Ashley! Hope you all are doing well. Much love until next post! Lindsey

The Good And Bad

       Honestly a really long trying week. But with that being said, also a very uplifting and rewarding week. Adisynn has been ridiculously sick. The worse cold ever. Now to top it off fever blisters in her mouth. Suck. She has been so MISERABLE and so have I. It really stinks to feel so helpless. I wish I could put her in a bubble sometimes! Now this sicko sickness is spreading to the rest of my family along with the rest of Great Falls. So lots of prayer for quick healing! You really appreciate the healthy times in these situations!
         I did not make it to the gym this whole last week and my chances of getting there this next week are not looking so hot. Either way I have already seen some great results. I am continuing to lose some pounds and slimming down my inches! It is awesome. I feel so great :) No plasma donating for me for awhile due to either too much protein or dehydration. I am starting to think that God is purposely trying to slow things down a bit for me. So instead of being stinky and mad I will just accept it and have a time of rest. I am still crocheting like a crazy lady. My latest accomplishment....mittens. They are epic and quite amazing. Every time I finish something I just want to keep it all to myself! I am sure my family will greatly enjoy it as much as I do!
        Other family news would include the baptism of my husband, son and daughter today! See there was good to my week! Really really good stuff. I am so happy for them and very proud of the choice they have made to follow Jesus and to publicly proclaim to everyone that they are going to live their life for His purpose. So happy! We are also really looking forward to our trip next month to see Matt and Sierra for Thanksgiving! I have not spent a holiday with her in a very very long time. Then I get to look forward to them visiting for Christmas. I'm not going to lie...I have listened to Christmas music a few times. I cant help it. It makes me so happy...and when the snow is falling and I have some baking going on...my brain just says...CHRISTMAS MUSIC! YEAH! So whatever to all you holiday music haters! I love it :D Caden made sure to point out that it has not even been Halloween yet...puh...whatevvvva! Well I am off to enjoy some sleepy time. Love you all and hope you are well. Whoever reads!

Kendra and Adisynn (One of our youth kids)